Training camp is over and all the cuts have been made. The starting quarterback has been named. The practice roster has been set and uniforms have been hung with care ……. all in expectation for the season opener. After 7 long months without CFL football the 8 teams across the nation are ready to get it on. Last night Montreal and Saskatchewan had a barnburner of game that went to the second overtime series before the Roughriders prevailed.

Here in Winnipeg, Buck Pierce has been anointed as the starter and the fans can’t help but feel that we are miles ahead of where we were with the quarterback position a year ago. As a whole we see upgrades across the board with new people filling in at various positions and our veterens a year wiser and stronger. There is an overall hope that a new offensive scheme will allow for an upgrade in production, just by the fact that we’ve got rid of the two back four receiver set in exchange for multiple varied receiver sets.

The question mark at this point would be the secondary. Gone are Jonathon Heffney and Lenny Walls, one of the best halfback sets the Bombers have ever had. In their place are Keyuo Craver and CFL neophites Clint Kent, Brandon Stewart and Alex Suber. Whoever is the least injured will likely get the start at the halfback positions tonight against the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Lavar Glover, cut by BC, joins allstar Jovon Johnson on the corners while Ian Logan patrols the middle. There’s talent there, but this secondary hasn’t played together yet and until they get their communication up to speed, there may be some breakdowns in coverage.

There’s some bad blood between the Bombers and the Ti-cats. Every player left from last year remembers the infamous boat ride by members of the Ti-cat Defense. How it all plays out tonight will not only take first place but make a statement at to who’s ready for the season and who might have more work to do in order to field a competitive team to challenge that Montreal Allouettes for first place in the East.